for 400 guests, was described in the following terms: "The company began to assemble at 9.30, and were received by Lady and Miss Neeld in the vestibule of the two galleries. The western gallery was appropriated to dancing, and in the large bay window at the end a full band was stationed. The eastern gallery was fitted as a drawing-room. In addition, the library, with its splendid collection of books and prints was thrown open. Refreshments were served in Sir John's own library, and card tables were placed in the ordinary drawing-room, the dining-room being reserved for supper. The whole of the rooms and corridors were amply lit with gas, throwing its brilliancy on the priceless pictures and statuary, and bringing the general decorations out in bold relief. It was a perfect fairy scene, and when, after the first look at the dancing, the company, young and old, began to circulate round the upper staircases and corridors, whether viewed from above or below, was really beyond description." "The Duke and Duchess were among the earlier arrivals, and entered joyously into the spirit of the scene. Full and overflowing, the dancing room soon supplied the vestibule with dancers, and there would have been ample occupants had both the galleries been used for dancing. At a fitting hour, but which we cannot say, for time flew too merrily to be taken note of, a splendid supper was served, and weary must have become the fingers of that attentive man who from the moment he opened his first bottle of champagne, continued the operation without ceasing, and we left him still doing it at 4 o'clock. Long will the opening of the house of Grittleton in 1864 be remembered." When Sir John died in 1891, his eldest son Sir Algernon William Neeld, 2nd Baronet, became the owner. After his death in 1900, Sir Audley Dallas Neeld, Algernon's younger brother, inherited the house. Audley was the owner for the next 41 years until his death in 1941 at the age of 92. Audley Neeld was born in 1849 at Holt, Wiltshire. He was educated at Harrow and the University of Oxford. In 1873 he married the Hon Edith Vivian, daughter of the second Lord Vivian, but the couple had no children. He joined the 2nd Life Guards and became a commanding officer. He fought in the Boer War and when he returned in 1900